Government announcement on mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for NHS frontline staff
11 November 2021
(Last updated: 11 Mar 2026 18:16)
Further to the Government announcement on mandatory vaccinations on 9th November, the GPhC have published a statement on their website – https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/news/gphc-responds-government-announcement-mandatory-covid-19-vaccinations-nhs-frontline-staff
In October, the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) worked with the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) to survey our members following the launch of the Department of Health and Social Care Consultation. The results and our position statement, which is also detailed below, can be found here: https://www.aptuk.org/site/position-statements
APTUK executive committee position statement
APTUK believe pharmacy technicians have a professional responsibility to support and protect our patients, communities, and staff by being vaccinated unless there is a medical reason why they are unable to. APTUK has lobbied for pharmacy technicians to be listed as keyworkers to enable them to be eligible for the vaccines as frontline workers. However, we recognise the pressure that mandating the vaccine has placed on the care home workforce and are anxious about the impact this could have on pharmacy technician workforce retention. APTUK strongly support pharmacy technicians to be vaccinated as part of public health prevention and encourage those who are unsure to discuss their concerns with healthcare professionals. APTUK do not believe that mandating the vaccine will increase uptake and are concerned this could pose a risk to the workforce. APTUK therefore support the members’ position of combining optional and strongly encouraging approach to being vaccinated against flu and COVID-19.
Liz Fidler FAPharmT
President, on behalf of the executive committee